by Kim Simpson
Member since:
January 13, 2007

I Resolve To® . . . 'Get In The Groove For Fall Resolution Chat' - Tuesday, October 20 - 8:00 To 9:00 P.M. (ET)

October 14, 2009 07:27 PM EDT (Updated: November 21, 2009 06:40 PM EST)
views: 62 | comments: 97

Please Join I Resolve To . . . Group members for the 'Get In The Groove For Fall Resolution Chat' on Tuesday, October 20, from 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. (ET) (in an effort to enable more folks from the west and midwest to participate).  I will be the chat host for the evening and the chat screen is at the end of this post.

The crisp, cool days of Fall are upon us.  Isn't it amazing that we are just 71 days away from the New Year?  Why not get a head start on your 2010 'resolve'.  Grab your journal and begin by looking back over the year and tallying your 2009 victories and looking ahead to all the wonderful things that you would love to do, see, have, be, create, and experience in 2010.  There is plenty of time to make good on a New Year Resolution, dream, or goal that has languished on the backburner - or to pull a new one off the 'To Do List' and turn it into a 'Ta-Da'.  Why not work to generate the kind of momentum that will take you right through the New Year and right into Spring?

On Tuesday, October 20, during the I Resolve To . . . Get In The Groove For Fall Resolution Chat - come toot your horn about what has worked for you, what you have achieved in 2009, and what you would love to achieve in coming months.  If you have encountered obstacles, we want to hear about them.  If you are looking for Gather buddies to team up with, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work - brainstorm some new strategies and meet some new friends with whom we can share the journey.  Just showing up is half the battle!  If you haven't joined the official I Resolve To . . . group at Gather, do so today by clicking this link:  I Resolve To . . . Group at Gather.  In coming weeks, I will be posting a variety of strategies for making and keeping New Year Resolutions.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you are looking for a way to get the ball rolling with some fresh 'daily resolves' consider the I Resolve To . . .  Challenge:  365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness.  The objective is very simple:  Do at least one thing each and every day to promote health and happiness for 'YOU'.  Banish the 'Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome'.  Instead, make every day New Year's Day.  Make every day count with 'Daily Resolves'.

Not too long ago, I created my ninth 'Daily Resolve' video - this one for my September intentions.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  With that in mind, all of my photos and videos are aimed at inspiring others (and me!) to take small daily steps toward health and happiness.  Enjoy and keep taking one small step after another toward your dreams each and every day!

Remember:  I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.  It's your choice.  Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps:  Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good!  Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey!  Let's Go For It! 

Kim Simpson, a former journalist, provides communications, fundraising services and strategic planning, for Members of Congress, non-profit organizations, corporations, and associations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.  A self-employed entrepreneur, with more than 30 years of experience, she launched IResolveTo.Com in 2005 in an effort to help others to achieve their New Year Resolutions, Dreams and Goals.  Get your daily dose of inspiration at: http://www.iresolveto.com - As added incentive, why not make and keep your New Year Resolution by wearing it? Drop by: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto

This article is Copyright © Kim M. Simpson, I Resolve To, Inc. * All Rights Reserved.
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Comments: 97

Kim Simpson Oct 14, 2009, 7:32pm EDT
I hope you'll join us next Tuesday for the chat! If you're thinking about taking part, bring a list of accomplishments and things you would like to achieve in 2010. By choosing one, two, or three key resolutions now, you'll get a heads start on planning and can actually begin taking small daily steps in advance of the New Year. You won't have to build momentum, the momentum will already be going strong! ;)
Trish A. Oct 17, 2009, 12:04am EDT
Kim, I should be able to be here. It's such an inpirational time.
Kim Simpson Oct 17, 2009, 4:42pm EDT
That's Great Trish - Enjoy your Saturday! ;)
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 7:52pm EDT
Hello folks, hope you're ready to chat ;) Be back in a few minutes . . .
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
Hi there! Sorry I'm late :)
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
Hey Susan, you're not late ;) How was your day?
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
And . . . how is the writing and photogtaphy going?
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:09pm EDT
my day has been a little frustrating - the chair I always sit in has suddenly become uncomfortable. I've been fighting with pillows to get comfortable :)
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
Hmmm . . . That's strange. Sometimes I feel like that when I'm working at my desk. It's usually because I need to get up and move around, stretch and such. I tend to lose myself while I'm on the computer and working. Lose track of time and I have a high threshold for pain ;)
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
I know I've missed several of the chats, but I have been really working on small steps with writing - one big step was competing in the 3-day novel contest over labor day weekend - I nearly died from lack of sleep, BUT I actually FINISHED a whole story. There was a lot of middle that I had to skip in order to finish, but.. the Househusband was so supportive
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:09pm EDT
WOW . . . that's a huge achievement. Have you gone back to flesh out the middle part?
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:09pm EDT
As you progress . . . maybe you can share an excerpt. I love to feature creative projects . . .
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
I'm letting it sit and simmer for now - the NaNoWriMo challenge starts 11/1 and I found with the 3-day that a really well planned outline, character studies and a pile of pix and clips for people/place descriptions are essential - so I'm in that process right now.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
That's so exciting. Small steps really do work don't they. I love working on my creative projects, bit by bit each day. It's amazing how they shape up over weeks and months . . . Trish and Jan are really focused on their creative projects - and the small daily step approach.
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:14pm EDT
I can't share any of the 3-day until after the contest has been judged and winners are announced in January, but I'll definitely (since I'm sure not to win) start reworking it at that point and have a lot of ideas to make it richer, better
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:14pm EDT
How does the NaNoWriMo work?
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
That makes sense . . . Good Luck! You might win. And I hope when the time is right you share with the group. Seeing others progress with their goals is very inspiring.
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
It's been fun! When I write essays, poetry and short short stories, I just let it all come out in one piece, so couldn't figure out why it wasn't working that way for longer stories. The outline method has really helped to make each scene able to come out in one piece instead - so cool.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:19pm EDT
When I write, I tend to work off outlines. In fact, now that I think about it, I tend to plot outlines for most everything that I do creatively, including my photography projects (the photo essays). It's hard to know where you're headed without a plan. I wrote one really bad novel that is safely tucked in my desk drawer and I've plotted another that I hope to begin working on when I finish my 365-Day Resolution Project.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
Do you have any big writing goals percolating for the New Year, 2010?
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
I've resisted outlines because it doesn't FEEL creative to me. I know...inexperience...but having the outline isn't as rigid as I thought it would be and it allows me to "fill in the blanks" instead of getting stuck when it all peters out.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
That's so true. I've never felt hemmed in by outlines because I tend to color outside the lines anyway ;)
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
That said, outlines give you the confidence and courage to move forward day after day - and they can always be altered and updated as the story or project progresses. I'm so excited for you :)
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
Thanks!! I'm excited too :) As to 2010 -- funny thing - as I started the NaNo2009 outline I thought that the story would be about two of the characters and then two of the other characters started having a stronger story so, the 1st couple will be secondary for this book and they'll get their story next.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
That's a great idea . . . that has happened to me also, characters change and grow and take on a life of their own. So are you hoping to finish multiple books. Sounds like you're on a roll :)
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
Oh yeah :) That has always been my goal, but I got really stuck and so I just wrote what I could while waiting for the right time. One thing that has come from this is a rekindling of my imagination. When I was about age 6-15 I'd make up people and stories and just live with them in my head for a long time. Now that's coming back to me and with the outline, I go to sleep at night thinking about the characters and asking myself questions about what they'll do based on my plan. They often go in a totally different direction.
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
NaNoWriMo - honor system - one month to write a novel (50,000 words or more) that works out to less than 2000 words a day if I'm diligent. I've done this for several years and never get beyond the 4th chapter or so because I've just started at the beginning and assumed that the story would continue to flow ... duh

I'll definitely share the shorter work as I rewrite it later
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
That really sounds like fun. Maybe I should think about a challenge like that to write my novel. Sounds like it would provide the structure and motivation and it's such a short timeline! NaNoWriMo allows you to begin work with a full outline, characters, etc.
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
absolutely!! It's just the actual writing that happens in November- I just never could wrap my head around all the pre-writing work - I guess because it is work. BUT this old dog is not only learning the trick, but the aha of actually finishing something, is reinforcing the workability for me. I just thought that if I was a REAL writer, it would all just come flowing out.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
Aren't those A-ha moments wonderful :) I am so happy when I have them, especially with the projects that I am passionate about.
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
it's an amazing feeling!! I've NEVER finished any of my LONG stories before because It wasn't prepared and they just died, but like putting up a pole for beans or a cage for tomatoes, my outline supported the creative process and I was able to change things on the fly because I knew the ending. In fact, The Househusband saw the panic on my face and recommended that I write the last three chapters after I'd written the first three and then if I started to run out of time, it would still be finished.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:40pm EDT
I think finding a system that works for you (with writing) is half the battle, at least for me. The other half is simply showing up each and every day and putting words on paper. Some days when I feel the least motivated with my camera and my writing, I do my best work. The trick is to 'do it' . . .
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:53pm EDT
it's been an interesting transition from poetry which is short (and easy for me to do every day) and mostly written for myself to fiction which is for an audience
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
That is so true . . .about the differences. It sounds like you're really enjoying the adventure, which is what's important.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
I made it
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
Hey Deb - Susan and I were chatting about her wonderful writing projects! She's making a lot of progress via small daily steps. You do much the same with your crochet creations ;)
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Have you been working on any holiday designs?
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Hi Kim, Yes I was just reading the posts. That does take a lot of work.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
After the chat tonight I'll swing by your store and see what's new. I love your Gather posts with designs . . .
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
Hi Debbie!
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
Hi Susan
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
I have. I actually sat down and added a few things to my site last night & today, and will be adding more later on. These fingers are always crocheting.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
You are amazing . . . your productivity is constant and your designs perfect. I pulled out my Mom's slippers last week . . . I'm plotting what else I need to buy gift-wise. She's going to love them, thank you so much!
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
(Blush)
Thank you. That means a lot
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
It amazes me when folks can sew or crochet with such perfect stitches. It really is an art.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
I'm curious . . . I've been thinking a lot about what I want to focus on regarding my 2010 goals and have started looking back and looking ahead. I tend to do this in October and November in advance of the New Year . . any thoughts, ladies on what your top achievement is for 2009 . . . and your biggest goals for the New Year?
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
I an deciding that I will be changing my focus from reading/reviewing to writing mine. I'll still do some reviews, but not like I do now (probably read 150-200 books a year and review about 50-60)
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:43pm EDT
WOW . . . you read books at the rate that my sister reads. She is voracious. She works for a University Library and is simply a total book lover. You must be a speed reader. My goal for this year was to get back to my books and read 12-24, for starts. I'll probably do around 20 and try to double that in 2010.
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:47pm EDT
I do read a lot :) Last year I read the most, but this year I've slowed way down to write the longer pieces. I'm facebook friends with a lot of published authors and it always surprises me what huge readers they all are too.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:49pm EDT
I'll send you the link to my sister's blog URL - you might enjoy it. She has a wonderful little group of folks who adore books. I learn so much when I read what they're writing and reviewing.
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:56pm EDT
very cool!!! I'd love to read it. There really are a lot of people who like to read and write. It always makes me happy to see that after thinking about all the people I know who seldom read, don't have books or mags, only watch tv or play vid games.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
I'll send it tonight so I don't forget. That last few years reading fell off my map thanks to work and other projects. I made it one of my top New Year Resolutions to read every night before bed and I've been following through pretty much every night ;)
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
I would love to get my craft room more in order. So I will start on that doing "baby steps". I have to get my sons to help with shelf's etc.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
I've been working on that throughout 2009 . . . I've made a lot of progress with my house and my office was the first place that I started my organization project. It's wonderful to have a place for everything and a clean desk to work on ;)
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
My utlity room is next. It's not a disaster . . . it just needs a little TLC ;) I hope to finish that by the end of the year.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
I can't believe the years almost over already
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
It is amazing. In November I'll begin my countdown to Spring ;) I envy you in Florida . . .
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
I would like to see what the inside of the garage looks like-LOL
That's not my dept. though. I'll leave that room to the guys
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
Good for you ;) I hope they lend a hand with your shelves . . . it feels so good when you finally make a dent in an organizatio project. I am so much happier when my house and office is neat and I can find things!
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:39pm EDT
It was in the 90's up to the other day-Too Hot!
It's finally cooled down to the 70-80 mark, but going back up again
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:42pm EDT
It's amazing that it still that hot in October . . . is that the normal temperature for this time of the year?
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:44pm EDT
we've had a few freezing nights, but 50's - 60's mostly in the days.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:45pm EDT
It's been cool here too, but I don't think we've had a hard freeze yet. It's suppose to be a colder than normal winter. That's why I was wondering about the really hot Florida temperatures. That prediction doesn't seem to hold in Florida ;)
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
Have you gotten any snow yet?
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:44pm EDT
Not yet. Virginia is usally pretty mild in the winter and it doesn't get really cold until December-January. Snow usually melts right off.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:46pm EDT
Do you get a chance to hit the beach very often Debbie?
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 8:51pm EDT
my sister in Oregon got 6 inches of snow a couple of weeks ago, but it looks like it was caused by a dust storm (stopped traffic in Eastern Washington for hours) here.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:55pm EDT
I saw all the snow out west . . . it made me cold just seeing it. I'm definitely not ready for winter. But, the positive part of winter is that I focus on creative projects and put the 'indoor' time to good use.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:48pm EDT
I do go mainly when I get company from NY. Otherwise, I burn too easy.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:50pm EDT
I burn too . . . It's been a couple years since I've been to Florida. I use to go 2-3 times a year because friends have condos there. It's a quick trip from DC. I really enjoy FLA, folks are so friendly.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:53pm EDT
It's funny that most of the people I've met here are from somewhere else. Mainly Long Island. Very few people born and raised here.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:50pm EDT
I grew up in NY, so I know about snow. I miss it sometimes, but the fall more.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:51pm EDT
In NYC or out West? I worked for a Member of Congress from Rochester. Now that's cold weather!
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:53pm EDT
I think I would miss Fall, but I will never miss winter. When I bought my current house, I looked for homes in Ft. Lauderdale. I almost relocated. I found this house by accident and fell in love . . . so I moved from DC to VA. I'd still like to live in FLA, tho. Maybe at some point down the road . . . I would absolutely love the weather. I don't mind hot weather.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:54pm EDT
I lived in Westchester. George Pataki was my neighbor went he was the mayor of Peekskill
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:55pm EDT
That's a pretty community. Do you miss it?
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:56pm EDT
Yes at this time of year when the fall colors are out
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
I can imagine . . . do you have family that you visit? That's one way to get a quick fix of winter or fall weather . . .
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:55pm EDT
The only thing I could do without are the hurricanes. I went through a few years ago. Very scary.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:57pm EDT
I'm with you Debbie . . . I think it was Isabel (sp) in 2003 that tore through Fredericksburg. It was definitely frightening.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
How big was that one?
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 8:57pm EDT
Bear Mountain in the Hudson Valley is beautiful in the fall
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 8:59pm EDT
I bet . . . New York has some wonderful Mountains and resorts. I'm hoping to drive through the Sheandoah Mountains in the next couple of weeks before all the leaves drop. They're really starting to turn fast now.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
The Blue Ridge Mts are beautiful also. We drove through there on our way through to or from NY once in the fall
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:02pm EDT
Definitely! What's your favorite part of Florida? Do you get down to the Keys much?
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 9:03pm EDT
I haven't been past Delray Beach yet. Hope to go to the Keys someday.
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
Howie In The Hills Florida (strange name, but that's what it's called) is very pretty
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
Which part of the state is that - I've never heard of it? Is it on the beach?
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
No, it's more towards the middle of the state
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
I'll have to look it up. I'm always looking for new places to see when I'm in FLA . . . thanks for the suggestion.
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
Well ladies . . . it looks like it's that time. I am so happy you dropped by. I love carving out a bit of time to catch up.

Susan - I am so exciting about your writing. Keep us posted on the upcoming contests. If you have a minute pen a short update on your progress and I'll feature it.

And Deb - send your creations our way - love to feature them, they are so pretty :)
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 9:08pm EDT
thanks! I've been meaning to do that, and an always surprised when another week has gone by :) - I'll make that a goal for this week,
Debbie W. Oct 20, 2009, 9:06pm EDT
Have a good night Kim & nice to meet you Susan
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:07pm EDT
You too Debbie - enjoy the rest of the week!
Susan B. Oct 20, 2009, 9:08pm EDT
thanks to you both!!
Kim Simpson Oct 20, 2009, 9:09pm EDT
Thank you, Susan ;)
d d. Oct 20, 2009, 9:20pm EDT
sorry for missing it. Had to run to do a phone exchange at the mall with my husband and I just got back. will try to catch the next one.

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